Trolling-spoon.



W. COUPER.

TROLLING SPOON.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15. 1916 Patented Apr. 24, 1917.

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WILLIAM COUPER, CE BLACKTAIL, IDAHO, ASSIGNOE OF (ENE-HALF TO JOHN C. GLAHE, OF BURKE, IDAHO.

TRGLLING-SPOON.

Application filed March 15,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM COUPER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Blaclrtail, in the county of Bonner and State of Idaho, have invented new and useful Tm: provements in Trolling-Spoons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention. relates to artificial bait and has particular reference to that class of devices generally known as trolling spoons.

Experience with articles of this nature has taught that as the velocity of the trollingboat increases, the spoon spins or rotates with such rapidity that it has a detrimental effect on the primary object of the device, inasmuch as it has a tendency to scare the fish rather than attract the latter.

It is the object of my invention to eliminate this defect by providing a trolling spoon. distinguished from those heretofore.

used by reason of its specific formation, which allows the spoon to spin or rotate within a moderate speed, when the trollingboat travels at or above the average velocity.

Another important object of my invention resides in the provision of an article of the above mentioned character whose construction is such to insure a spinning or rotary movement of the spoon when the boat is traveling at a low rate of speed.

The nature of the invention will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein Figure 1 is an edge elevation of the spoon looking from one side thereof.

Fig. 2 is a similar view looking from the opposite side thereof.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view looking in one direction.

Fig. 6 is a similar view looking in an opposite direction.

Referring to the drawing in detail 5 indicates generally the spoon, 6 a swivel for con- Speeification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 241, 1917.

1916. Serial No. sane.

nection with a line, and 7 a hook which may be of any suitable construction.

However the novelty of my invention resides in the particular formation of the spoon, which preferably consists of a metal plate having a substantially flat intermediate portion 8, while the opposite ends 9 and 1.0 respectively of the plate are reversely disposed and dished or spoon shaped as illustrated. The bait has one curved edge 11 and a straight edge 12, the latter being defined by bending the plate to provide a longitudinally extending right angularly disposed flange 13. While the flange shown in this particular instance is right angularly disposed it may be arranged at difierent angular relations with respect to the plate if desired, the flange extending throughout the major portion of the length of said plate. The general tendency of the spoon is to spin or rotate when trolled through the water, and which it continues to do when the trolling-boat moves at a comparatively low rate of speed, while it has been found that the flange 13 more or less retards the spinning or rotary motion of the spoon, especially when the trolling-boat trayels above an average rate of speed, thus causing the spoon to spin with sufficient slowness to attract rather than scare the fish. The slowness with which the spoon is caused to spin also affords the fish an opportunity to seize the bait in such manner to be effectively hooked, thereby eliminating to a large extent the possibility of the fish from shaking off the bait subsequent to being engaged by the latter. The material from which the spoon is made, with the size and proportion of the various parts do not enter into the invention. and may be varied when desired.

It is believed that from the foregoing description the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent although. it is desired to have it understood that various changes in the construction may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed,

What is claimed is A trolling spoon consisting of a single piece of metal having a body portion, one

longitudinal edge thereof having an angular In testimony whereof I aifix my signature flange and the opposite edge being concaved, in. presence of two Witnesses.

reversely dish shaped ends projecting a dis- WILLIAM COUPER.

tance beyond the main body portion, tackle Witnesses: V 5 attaching means at their extreme outer I ARTHUR E. SMITH,

edges, all as and for the purpose described. WILLIAM C. AMES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five gents eaeh, by eddressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

